Day: September 2, 2023

Bethanie Village Council Chairperson Diederik Frederick has said the lack of administrators in key positions at the village council hinders the delivery of service to the inhabitants of the village.

In an interview with Nampa here on Wednesday, Frederick said for the past eight months or so, the village council had only one substantive appointee, making it difficult for the village council to function smoothly.

“We have council meetings and take resolutions, but such resolutions cannot be carried out because of the lack of administrators. Right now we only have one substantive appointee, Reginald Kennedy, who is the accountant and acting chief executive officer. He is the human resource manager, technical head and the list goes on, he wears all those hats and it is really difficult for us to carry out resolutions to the benefit of our people,” he stressed.

The village council has not had a CEO for three years since Hendrik Gaobaeb resigned.

According to Frederick interviews were held on three occasions but no candidate was successful.

“In the past we did interview people for some of these positions but candidates fall out at interview level. Even the interest of people applying here is very low, we do not have more than three applicants per position, other people also come and use this place as a stepping stone to higher grounds, that’s why we have no staff because people come, stay for a while and leave,” he said.

He further said council will continue to advertise the vacancies and will bring in the Ministry of Urban and Rural Development to help search for candidates to fill the vacant positions.

“We have written a letter to the ||Kharas Regional Council so that we can have people seconded to help us, but we are still waiting for their response. Many people say Bethanie is too far. I think it’s best we get people from here but that becomes difficult as our people do not have the qualifications nor the skills,” Frederick said.

The chairperson also revealed that a finding by the Electricity Control Board in 2021 indicated that the village council is operating at a loss of 67 per cent in electricity due to their outdated and ageing system.

“Our system is very old, the finding said that when the electricity enters our grid, we are losing 67 per cent of the electricity. That affects revenue collection, we are paying NamPower 100 per cent while we are losing 67 per cent of what we receive,” he added.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Immigration, Safety, and Security, Daniel Kashikola, has called upon the community to honour and remember the sacrifices made by heroes and heroines in the struggle for Namibia’s liberation.

Kashikola emphasised the significance of commemorating those who gave their lives for the nation during an event held at the Ontananga Centre in the Olukonda Constituency on Friday.

The deputy minister said the purpose of the Heroes’ Day commemoration at Ontananga was to reflect on the history of the liberation struggle, the hardships endured during the war, and to acknowledge the progress made since Namibia achieved its independence in 1990. He stressed the importance of recognising both the fallen and living heroes who contributed to the freedom, independence, peace, and stability enjoyed by the country over the past 33 years.

“We want to remember those who made it possible for us to enjoy the freedom and independence we have today and for us to enjoy the peace and stability we are hailed for as a country,” Kashikola said.

He urged the community to take stock of the nation’s journey while commemorating heroes and heroines, and to actively collaborate with the government in its efforts to enhance and develop the country.

“As we pay tribute to our heroes, let us prioritise peace and attentively heed our leaders,” Kashikola said.

Addressing the concerns of the region, Phillemon Ndjabula, the Regional Councillor of Olukonda Constituency, highlighted the pressing issue of drought in the area. He said the constituency office has experienced a surge in requests for food assistance due to inadequate rainfall during the year. Ndjabula also noted the widespread unemployment and the challenges faced by many individuals in obtaining national documents.

Joseph Shongolo, a former freedom fighter, shared a brief account of the events of 26 August 1966, and encouraged the youth to embrace and celebrate Heroes’ Day. He emphasised that the youth are the future and should be well-informed about the nation’s history and its heroes and heroines.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

The body of a woman thought to have committed suicide was reportedly recovered from a riverbed in Windhoek on Friday.

The spokesperson of the Namibian Police Force (NamPol), Deputy Commissioner Kauna Shikwambi, confirmed on Saturday that the body was found in Cimbebasia. It is thought to be the body of a woman who went missing Tuesday.

‘It is suspected that she committed suicide,’ Shikwambi said.

A 37-year-old woman was reported missing on Tuesday and was last seen in Rocky Crest.

Police investigations into the matter continue.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs, Frans Kapofi, has emphasised the importance of educating the younger generation about Namibia’s history.

During his address at the belated Heroes Day commemoration held at Ondangwa in the Oshana Region on Saturday, Kapofi said this knowledge would enable them to connect with, and value, the hard-fought freedom attained.

He stressed that it is crucial for the youth to understand that Namibia’s freedom was not obtained effortlessly but through immense hardships and numerous sacrifices made by countless individuals dedicated to the liberation cause.

‘Many of the elderly never enjoyed the days of their youth. A lot of people died during the struggle, disrupting many livelihoods and causing significant losses,’ Kapofi said.

He further emphasised that those who participated in or supported the liberation struggle did so with the sole purpose of ensuring Namibians could live in a free and peaceful nation. Kapofi urged Namibians to actively participate in preserving and safeguarding the hard-earned freedom.

During the same event, Oshana Governor Elia Irimari encouraged Namibians to honour and celebrate the lives of the remaining heroes and heroines while they are still alive. Irimari said it is their bravery that has allowed the country to savour the benefits of independence today.

Heroes’ Day is commemorated on 26 August to remember and honour the men and women who fought for Namibia’s liberation.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency

A moment of silence was observed for liberation struggle hero Hadino Hishongwa during the belated commemoration of Heroes Day at Ondangwa on Saturday.

Minister of Defence and Veterans Affairs Frans Kapofi requested the audience to rise in honour of Hishongwa, who died on Friday at the age of 80.

Hishongwa served as the Swapo chief representative to the Nordic countries, West and East Africa, Swapo organiser for people returning from exile, for youth and elections and foreign secretary of the National Union of Namibian Workers.

He also served as Deputy Minister of Youth and Sport and Deputy Minister of Labour and Human Resources Development, and was a member of the National Assembly for 15 years.

Following his retirement from public office, Hishongwa went on to serve the community as senior hradman of the Omhedi District in the Oukwanyama Traditional Authority until his death.

Source: The Namibian Press Agency